The night before Thanksgiving, I am trying to concentrate on all the wonderful things I have for which to be thankful. The number one thing is the ability to see the glass half full instead of half empty. I have to admit that this is not always an easy task. There are times where I have to use little tricks.

My first trick, I call “there by the grace of God go I.” No matter how bad I feel, there are always people in situations worse than mine that are able to get up every morning with love and joy in their hearts that they have been given another day to celebrate. How can I, who has been given so many opportunities and gifts, not at least try my best to create a day where I do at least one thing to make the world a better place for myself and my children? By reminding myself “there by the grace of God go I,” I find it easier to be thankful and celebrate every day.

Another trick? Years of Al Anon, taught me there really is something to the adage “fake it ’til you make it.” When Alyn died a friend told me, “even though you don’t want this, you get an opportunity for a do over.” It took me a while, but after careful thought, I made some decisions on the person I wanted to become. I started to pretend to be that person. Several months passed before I realized I wasn’t pretending as much any more. I really was becoming this new person.

I’ll end this with two more quick things. It really does take less energy to smile than frown. I also find it very difficult to feel bad dancing and singing to my favorite music whether it be in the bedroom or the kitchen. Turn up that radio!